The Middletons' Moment

Mingling with Royalty, Kate's Parents Fit Right in as They Celebrate Her New Life

Just nine days after meeting Queen Elizabeth at Windsor Castle, the bride's parents, Michael and Carole Middleton, made their debut on the royal stage before the entire world-and pulled it off with nary a snag. Not that they didn't have a few jitters. "Walking up the aisle, they were a little self-conscious because we were all looking at them," says fellow guest Claudia Bradby. "But when they left, it seemed more informal, and they were talking with the royals, all of them walking out together." At the Queen's reception at Buckingham Palace, the couple jubilantly celebrated their daughter and new son-in-law. "Carole was relieved the day passed without a hitch," says attendee Prince Seeiso of Lesotho. "She was quite bubbly." Afterward the couple returned to the Goring hotel, the pressure finally off. "They were wonderfully relaxed," says guest Edward Holloway, "and very, very happy."